Hertfordshire, UK
Residential | Side and rear extension
Contemporary Green Belt Home Transformation in Surrey
A thoughtful transformation of an existing two-bedroom house into a spacious four-bedroom family home in Surrey, designed to significantly improve the way the property looks, feels and functions while responding sensitively to its Green Belt setting.
Live Site Studio Architects provided the architectural design and planning services for up to Stage 03, successfully obtaining planning permission for the extension and reconfiguration of the existing home. The proposals create two additional bedrooms alongside a renewed kitchen and living space, with a much stronger relationship between the house and garden.
At first-floor level, the new principal bedroom opens onto a private balcony overlooking the rear garden, while maintaining sensitivity and privacy to neighbouring properties by introducing privacy screening. Creating a greater connection with the landscape and bringing a sense of openness to the upper floor.
A key part of the architectural approach was ensuring that the enlarged property remained well proportioned and visually balanced. The design establishes a more grounded brick base at ground-floor level, with a lighter architectural treatment above to reduce the perceived mass of the additional accommodation.
Rather than simply replicating the existing house, its material palette was reinterpreted in a contemporary way, using carefully considered layers, junctions and detailing to give the new additions their own identity while maintaining a clear relationship with the original architecture.
As a Green Belt residential project, the scale and form of the proposed extensions required careful consideration. Through thoughtful manipulation of form, massing, proportion and internal layout, we were able to maximise the potential of the existing property while working within the constraints of its sensitive setting.
The result is a contemporary family home that feels significantly more spacious and functional, demonstrating how carefully considered architecture can transform and extend an existing Green Belt property while retaining a strong relationship with its original character and landscape.
Drawing shown are for illustration only.